The 2009 design by Brett Darnell, an Auburn student at the time, was lost through years of WordPress redesigns. This week, with Viktor AI, it came back. Read More
Month: July 2026
The Great Upheaval – Where Did Cajuns Come From?
It all began in Canada! The Day of Commemoration of the Great Upheaval is observed in Canada on July 28 each year. It commemorates the Great Upheaval (French: Le Grand Dérangement ), the forced deportation of thousands of Acadian settlers by British authorities between 1755 and 1763 . Acadians were French-speaking people who had settled in what are now Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island. Beginning on July 28, 1755 , British authorities… Read More
Murder Arrest Made Weeks After Shooting at Lee County Party
July 28, 2026 Raymond Early arrested weeks after deadly shooting at Lee County party. (Source: Lee County Sheriff's Office) LEE COUNTY, Ala. (WSFA) — A Phenix City man has been arrested after a deadly shooting at an open house party in Lee County. 18-year-old Raymond Earl has been charged with murder and is being held in the Lee County Detention Center. According to the Lee County Sheriff's Office, the incident occurred in the 800 block… Read More
Pierre Bensusan Concert — Live! At The Wall, July 30 in Opelika
Thursday, July 30, 2026 — Opelika, AL Pierre Bensusan, known worldwide as "Mister DADGAD," will deliver a spellbinding solo performance at The Sound Wall Recording Studio in Opelika on Thursday, July 30, as part of the Live! At The Wall intimate concert series. Bensusan is one of today's greatest guitarists and composers, blending world, jazz, classical, and folk music in a signature style that has earned him international acclaim. A pianist in his beginnings who… Read More
Gov. Ivey Signs Executive Order Creating Commission on Screen-Based Learning
July 22, 2026 — Montgomery, AL Governor Kay Ivey signed Executive Order 745 on Wednesday, July 22, creating a commission dedicated to studying screen-based instruction in Alabama schools. The commission will evaluate the responsible use of technology in classrooms for students of all ages, with a final report due to the governor, Legislature, and State Board of Education by December 1, 2026. Ivey appointed commission members to serve through the submission of the final report… Read More
Alabama Holds Public Hearing on Marijuana Rescheduling from Schedule I to III
July 22, 2026 — Montgomery, AL The Alabama Department of Public Health's State Committee of Public Health held a public hearing Wednesday, July 22, to gather input on whether Alabama should follow the federal government in rescheduling certain medical marijuana products from Schedule I to Schedule III. A group of conservative activists registered objections to the federal rescheduling at the hearing. ADPH's general counsel stated a decision must be made by August 5. The rescheduling… Read More
Alabama Supreme Court Expedites Tuberville Residency Challenge
July 21–22, 2026 — Montgomery, AL The Alabama Supreme Court moved to expedite the residency challenge against U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville's bid for governor this week. The court accelerated briefing schedules for the appeal — but legal observers note that Alabama's deadline for replacing a party nominee could pass before the appeal is fully briefed, putting challengers in a difficult position. The challenge centers on Alabama's constitutional requirement that a governor candidate must have been… Read More
Southwest Fire Department Responds to Three Lee County Fires in One Week
July 20, 2026 — Lee County, AL The Southwest Lee County Fire Department responded to three separate fire incidents in one week — residential structure fires in Loachapoka and Auburn, and a vehicle fire in the Beauregard community. The busy stretch underscores the demands on volunteer fire departments serving the growing rural and suburban areas of Lee County. No major injuries were reported in the three incidents. The Southwest Fire Department serves unincorporated areas of… Read More
One Love National Night Out Coming August 4 to Opelika
July 21, 2026 — Opelika, AL The Concerned Citizens of Opelika will host its One Love National Night Out event on Tuesday, August 4, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, 432 Maple Ave. in Opelika. The event will launch Circle of Love — a new support network for families who have lost someone to gun violence, as well as for survivors, siblings, and children left behind. The initiative was inspired by… Read More
Opelika Community Theatre Invites Public to Shape Its Next Chapter
July 21–26, 2026 — Opelika, AL Opelika Community Theatre (OCT) hosted a special community meeting on Sunday, July 26, welcoming returning volunteers, former members, supporters, parents, and anyone interested in the organization's future. The gathering introduced OCT's vision for the coming seasons and provided an opportunity for community members to get involved. OCT continues its mission of bringing affordable, inclusive, and high-quality performing arts experiences to East Alabama. For more information, contact OCT at (334)… Read More
Guy Rhodes Honored by Alabama Senate for 50+ Years of Journalism
July 21, 2026 — Opelika, AL Opelika resident Guy Rhodes has been recognized through a resolution from the Alabama Senate following his retirement after more than 50 years in journalism and community service. Rhodes, a long-time figure in East Alabama media and former editor of The Tuskegee News, received the honorary resolution recognizing his lifetime contributions to journalism and the communities he served. Rhodes has been a member of the East Alabama journalism community for… Read More
